Boston Red Sox - TeamReport

One year after the Red Sox lost 93 games and endured their worst season in almost a half-century, not even the Mayans would predict they will make the playoffs.

Ben Cherington respectfully disagrees.

"I believe we will contend," the Red Sox general manager told the Boston Herald this spring. "There's no reason we shouldn't contend in 2013. But we also want to build something really good for a long time. We're confident we will."

Along those lines, the Sox brought back former pitching coach John Farrell to replace deposed manager Bobby Valentine and turned over nearly one-third of their roster in the offseason, signing seven free agents to contracts that don't exceed three years. The idea: Build a team that will compete in a wide-open Americal League East while keeping the door open for several budding prospects, most of whom remain at least another year away from the majors.

One thing is clear: Much of the Red Sox's fortunes will rest with their starting pitching. And although they had one of the worst rotations in the majors last season, they added only right-hander Ryan Dempster to a group that includes holdovers Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, Felix Doubront and John Lackey, who is returning after missing last season while recovering from Tommy John elbow surgery.

In particular, the Sox are banking on Lester and Buchholz returning to their All-Star forms from 2010 and the first half of 2011. And in spring training, both pitchers were exceptional, sparking hope for a revival.

"It's just a confidence builder going into the season," Buchholz said. "The stretch we have to start the season (13 consecutive games against AL East opponents), it's going to be the best thing to have some confidence going into it. It's definitely different from the last couple of springs. It's good to see the work going into it is paying off a little bit."

Pitching has come into even greater focus for the Red Sox because of the early-season toll that David Ortiz's slow-to-heal Achilles injury will take on the lineup. Ortiz was unable to play this spring after dealing with inflammation in both heels and will start the season on the disabled list.

Most alarming, though, is the fact that the Red Sox don't have a timetable for his return.

As long as Ortiz's powerful bat is absent from the middle of the order, the Sox figure to rely even more heavily on pitching and defense to win games. As a result, they took a long look in spring training at 22-year-old outfield prospect Jackie Bradley Jr., who has emerged as a leading candidate to make the team despite not yet playing above the Double-A level because of his defensive excellence and a superb spring at the plate.

"Do I think he's ready? I think he's proven," right fielder Shane Victorino said. "He's gone out in spring training and given himself every opportunity to be on the big-league team."

Bradley's surprise spring is emblematic of the breath of fresh air in Red Sox camp.

For the first time in years, expectations are low. And after the darkness of the one-year Bobby V Era, the Red Sox are eager to move forward under Farrell and return to the postseason for the first time in three years.

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MLB Team Report - Boston Red Sox - NOTES, QUOTES

--OF Jackie Bradley Jr. continues to be the biggest story in Red Sox camp. The 22-year-old prospect was a long shot to make the team when spring training began, mostly because he had not yet played above the Double A level. But he has impressed the Red Sox with his instincts in the outfield, patient approach at the plate and overall maturity, and by virtue of his sparkling performance and DH David Ortiz's protracted recovery from an Achilles injury, he may have played his way onto the Opening Day roster. The Red Sox have even started using Bradley in left field, a shift from his natural center-field position but the spot in which he likely would play. "I didn't really set any expectations coming in," Bradley said. "I came into spring training not even a thought to make the team. I just wanted to come in and play hard and show I improved from last year. Hopefully I'm doing that."

--SS Stephen Drew paid a visit to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and was cleared by concussion specialist Dr. Mickey Collins to resume baseball activity. And while Drew has been making what manager John Farrell termed "minimal" progress, it's still unclear if he will be ready for Opening Day. This much, however, is certain: When he's ready to play, Drew will be the Red Sox's primary shortstop. "He was signed for that reason," Farrell said. "A temporary injury situation is not going to alter our course on that." SS Jose Iglesias is expected to fill in if Drew is not ready to start the season.